# NTSB SEA90LA069: Cessna 172N, N1065F, Minden, NV, April 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1990, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Minden, NV
- Coordinates: 39.009677, -119.75074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0097&lon=-119.7507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41188
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41188/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA069

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT, THE PILOT WAS MANEUVERING IN AN AREA OF MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. ONE PASSENGER WANTED THE PILOT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE PILOT MADE A LEFT TURN AND WHEN HE LEVELED THE WINGS EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT DISORIENTATION AND NOTED THAT THE AIRSPEED WAS DECREASING AND THE VERTICAL SPEED INIDICATOR INDICATED A 200 FPM CLIMB. THE AIRPLANE AT THIS TIME HAD TRAVELLED INTO A CANYON. THE PILOT DID NOT FEEL THAT A TURN WAS POSSIBLE AND REALIZED THAT THE AIRPLANE COULD NOT OUT CLIMB THE RISING TERRAIN AS THE AIRSPEED WAS NEAR STALLING SPEED. THE PILOT PREPARED FOR A COLLISION WITH THE TREES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1065F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1065F-2012-07-19), registration cancelled 2012-07-19, S/N 17272942, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272942
- Airframe hours: 4023
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mercury Air Center
- Registered owner: Signal Capital Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1990, 18 hours before
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 101 total, 85 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900420010439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900420010439A), Apr 20, 1990: Cessna 172N, Minden, NV, Destroyed. Flew into box canyon on a sightseeing flight. Unable to turn or climb, crashed into trees.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.